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Marine Protected Areas Generally Require More Specific Objectives for Efficiency and Broad Community Acceptability

Norman Halse

Recfishwest, CLAREMONT, AUSTRALIA

Theme: TH3

In Western Australia, marine protected areas (MPAs) 'no take' zones are most frequently established within marine reserves by specific regulations under either marine park or fish habitat protection legislation. The objectives are generally quite broad because they are specified for the whole reserve area, which can include a range of activities. In the absence of quite specific objectives the MPAs so established are less likely to be effective than would be the case if they were specifically designed to achieve identified objectives. Objectives claimed for MPAs include: sustainable fish management; protection of biodiversity and ecological integrity; provision of control sites for monitoring natural change and impacts of human activities; and preservation of 'high abundance sites' for recreational viewing. These are legitimate objectives; but for each protected area the particular objective or objectives need to be specified, if they are to be achieved efficiently. For example, a fish management objective needs to identify the species of principal interest and the area for which management is to be effected. It also needs to consider alternative management strategies. When the objective for a protected area has been specified, it then becomes possible to apply some rational process to determining the location and dimensions of the area. Furthermore, it will then be possible to measure the success of the protected area in achieving its objectives. The difficulties of designing protected areas to meet specific objectives, and of measuring their success, are not underrated. However, the alternative is to allow emotion and pressure groups to replace science and logic.